Doing the Mumbai-Goa journey by train? Enjoy the view with glass ceilings and wide windows

From November, the Vistadome coach, which made its debut in September, will be attached permanently to the Dadar-Madgaon Jan Shatabdi

Passengers travelling on the Mumbai-Goa route will now be able enjoy a panoramic view of the Western Ghats any day of the week. The Central Railway has decided to permanently attach the Vistadome coach on the Dadar-Madgaon Jan Shatabdi Express from the first week of November. Currently, the coach is attached only thrice a week on the express.

The Vistadome coach made its debut on the Central Railway in September. (HT FILE)

The Vistadome coach made its debut on the Central Railway in September and has special features including wide windowpanes, roof which turns transparent at a switch of a button. The seats of the coach have a push back facility and can rotate 360 degrees. It also has 12 LCD television screens for entertainment, a mini fridge, automatic sliding compartment doors, an oven, juicer grinder and toilets fitted with ceramic tiles.

However, despite the breathtaking view of the Western Ghats, the Vistadome coach has failed to attract many passengers. Out of the 40 seats available in the coach less than 20% are booked. The railway officials have said fare for a Dadar-Madgaon journey is Rs2, 235, which is steep. The fare is higher than an airplane ticket between Mumbai and Goa.

Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has built the luxury Vistadome coaches. The first coach started operating between Visakhapatnam and Araku Valley hill station.